Musa, Ighalo, Lagos FA Boss, Akinwunmi, Gov Okowa Emerge  Winners At Nigeria Pitch Awards

(L-R): Delta State Police Commissioner Adeyinka Adeleke, Super Eagles Captain Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, 2018 King of the Pitch, Esther-Whyte Bassey, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Secretary to the Delta State Government and Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, First Vice President of the NFF at the 6th Nigeria Pitch Award Ceremony in Asaba, Delta State on Saturday

Super Eagles striker and Al Nassr sensation, Ahmed Musa and Super Falcons player Francisca Ordega both won the top prizes of King and Queen of the Pitch Saturday night at the 6th award ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held in Asaba, Delta State.

The award ceremony which held after the International Friendly between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Warriors of Zimbabwe was attended by Seyi Akinwunmi First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ahmed Fresh, NFF Board member, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Secretary to the Delta State Government, Mr. Olayinka Adeleke, State Police Commissioner, Coach, technical crew and members of the Super Eagles.

Speaking at the ceremony, Seyi Akinwuni who represented the NFF President, commended the organizers of the awards, stressing that putting an award together required a lot of effort. He reiterated the support of the Federation for the Pitch Awards.

Mr Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards expressed appreciation of the organizers to the Federation and the Delta State Government. He said the organizers remained committed to giving Nigerians a transparent and credible awards.

‘We will continue to do what is right because we believe our players need to be motivated by a transparent and credible reward system which will see then earn the respect of everyone in the football community,’ Philips said.

In the Defender of the Year category, William Troost-Ekong of Udinese starved off competition from fellow team mates Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo. In the Goalkeeper’s category, Anorthosis Famagusta goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho beat last year’s winner, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Enyimba International goalie Theophilus Afelokhai to win the prize for the first time. Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi retained the Midfielder of the Year award and Odion Ighalo the Shanghai Shenhua forward was voted the Striker of the Year.

Group Photo of Super Eagles players with Guests at the the 6th Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards in Asaba

The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigeria Football has been one of the high points of previous Awards Ceremonies. Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, the First Vice President of the NFF and Chairman Lagos FA last night joined Amaju Pinnick and Dr. Ifeanyi Ubh as winners of the prestigious Sam Okwaraji Award. The NFF President had won the previous two editions. Oil giant, Aiteo Group retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award. Enugu Rangers Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote won the Coach of the Year award while his team carted home the Club of the Year award. Nigeria’s national women team, Super Falcons were voted the Best National Team.

In the media category, Samuel Ahmadu of Goal.com emerged the maiden winner of the Football Journalist of the Year (Online). Other winners were entirely new compared to those who had been winning the past editions. The winners were  Johnny Edwards of Complete Sports who was named Football Journalist of the Year (Print), Mozez Praiz of Supersport won the Football Journalist of the Year (TV) and Tony Bekederemo of Brila Sports Radio was voted winner of the Football Journalist of the Year (Radio).

Full List of winners

Goalkeeper of the Year                        –         Francis Odinaka Uzoho

Defender of the Year                           –         William Troost-Ekong

Midfielder of the Year                         –         Wilfred Ndidi

Striker of the Year                               –         Odion Ighalo

MVP in NPFL                                     –         Junior Lokosa

MVP in the NWFL                              –         Rasheedat Ajibade

Queen of the Pitch                               –         Francisca Ordega

King of the Pitch                                  –         Ahmed Musa

Coach of the Year                                –         Gbenga Ogunbote

Club of the Year                                  –         Enugu Rangers

National Team of the Year                   –         Super Falcons

Referee of the Year                              –         Adebimpe Quadri

Sam Okwaraji Awards                         –         Seyi Akinwunmi

State with the Best Grassroots Football Dev. Prog.  – Lagos State

Football Friendly Gov. of the Year      –         Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa

Football Journalist of the Year (Print) –         Johnny Edwards

Football Journalist of the Year (Radio)–         Tony Bekederemo

Football Journalist of the Year (TV)    –         Mozez Praiz

Football Journalist of the Year (Online)–       Samuel Ahmadu

Corporate Sponsor of Football            –         AITEO Group

Austin Okon-Akpan (left) receiving the Achievement in Football Award for Channels Kids Cup from Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles Coach (middle) while Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards and Esther-Whyte Basset watch on